Child Neglect in Plain Sight, Stronger Laws to Combat Lack of Parental Responsibility

Feb 16 , 2025
By Eden Sahle

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Last weekend, after attending a wedding, my husband, toddler, and I were preparing to leave early when we heard the unmistakable cries of an infant inside a car. What was supposed to be a joyous occasion turned into a moment of shock and heartbreak as we witnessed severe child neglect.

As we walked through the parking lot, we followed the sound of a distressed newborn crying. Inside an overheated parked car, we found a tiny infant drenched in sweat, sobbing uncontrollably in the arms of a recently hired nanny.

The nanny, visibly overwhelmed and sweating, explained that the infant’s parents had left her in charge while they attended the wedding. Her phone battery had died, leaving her unable to reach them for hours. The newborn, exclusively breastfed, had not been fed for five hours and had been crying for three. Desperate to calm the baby, the nanny had attempted to give her water, unaware of the risks of water intoxication in newborns.

Realising the urgency, my husband and I stepped in. We rushed to find a charger, powered up the nanny’s phone, and contacted the mother, expecting her to return immediately. To our disbelief, the mother dismissed our concerns and instructed the nanny to "handle it." Even after repeated calls from both the nanny and my husband, the parents refused to show up.

The nanny, still holding the sweating baby, showed us the parents' names and the wedding invitation card she was using to fan the infant. From this, we identified which wedding they were attending. My husband hurried to the hall and asked the disc jockey (DJ) to announce that the parents needed to come to the parking lot urgently.

Shockingly, despite multiple announcements, the parents never responded.

Medical professionals warn that newborns must be fed every two to three hours to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Prolonged periods without feeding can lead to hypoglycemia, a dangerous condition that, if untreated, can cause seizures, brain damage, or even death.

Leaving a newborn in a hot car is equally life-threatening. Infants are especially vulnerable to heatstroke and dehydration, which can result in organ failure and death within minutes. The parents’ indifference to their daughter’s distress was not only shocking but criminally negligent.

Despite multiple announcements at the wedding and direct phone calls, the mother never appeared. The father eventually arrived, visibly irritated at being interrupted. Instead of comforting his child, he yelled at the nanny and poured water on the baby’s face in an attempt to cool her down. His complete disregard for the infant’s well-being underscored a disturbing lack of parental responsibility.

Child neglect is a silent crisis affecting many children across Ethiopia. While international and local organisations have made progress in advocating for children's rights, many infants and young children remain vulnerable due to weak legal protections, lack of awareness, and deeply ingrained societal norms.

Neglect is one of the most common yet overlooked forms of child abuse, as it does not leave visible scars. According to UNICEF, millions of children in Ethiopia suffer from malnutrition, lack of healthcare, and abandonment. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines child abuse as any form of physical or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation that results in harm to a child's health, survival, development, or dignity.

Ethiopia faces numerous problems in protecting children. Only three percent of children under five have their births registered with civil authorities, making it difficult to monitor and safeguard unregistered children, according to UNICEF. Deeply rooted cultural beliefs that assume children are naturally resilient often perpetuate neglect, making child protection efforts harder to enforce.

Limited resources further hinder the establishment of strong child protection systems, particularly in rural areas. The absence of a structured response to severe neglect leaves countless children without the care and protection they desperately need.

Ethiopia has made some progress in child protection, though gaps remain. The Federal Supreme Court's Child Justice Project Office (CJPO), established in 1999, aims to enhance child rights and protection. Organisations like the African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) work to raise awareness, but much more needs to be done.

While legal frameworks and advocacy groups play a role, community involvement is essential. Ensuring children's safety and well-being is a collective responsibility.

Many Ethiopian parents, particularly in lower-income communities, lack basic knowledge about newborn care. Some are unaware of the dangers of leaving infants unattended or failing to provide regular nourishment. Public health education is crucial to addressing this gap.

Poverty is a major factor in child neglect. Financial struggles force many parents to leave their children in unsafe conditions while they work. In some cases, newborns are left with underage or unqualified caregivers who lack the skills to care for them properly.

Ethiopia also lacks strong child welfare policies and enforcement mechanisms to hold negligent parents accountable. In countries with robust child protection laws, the neglect witnessed in this case would have led to legal action. However, the country has no dedicated agency to intervene in cases of severe neglect.

Stronger laws must be enacted and enforced to combat child neglect. Parents who fail to provide basic care should face legal consequences. Establishing a dedicated Child Protection Agency to investigate and intervene in cases of neglect and abuse is crucial.

Public awareness is key. Educating people about the signs of child neglect and the importance of early intervention can help address the crisis. Clear reporting channels should be established to make it easier to flag suspected cases. Providing parents and caregivers with resources and support can ultimately save children's lives.

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PUBLISHED ON Feb 16, 2025 [ VOL 25 , NO 1294]

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